Tuesday, January 01, 2008

The Dawn of Another Year


Well, we have come to the beginning of another one. Another sunrise of a calendar year. This time we once again have a number that is divisible by four--which always helps us remember that it's a leap year, an election year, and an olympic year. Our calendars are fresh and new, as are our hopes and dreams. We don't know what we'll encounter this next 366 days, as is the case each time January 1st comes around. Following is my prayer for the year--the same one that Frances Ridley Havergal had years ago when she wrote this hymn. A dear friend of mine sent this same hymn to me at the beginning of last year and now I'm sharing it with you as my hope for you as well.

May God grant each one who stops by and reads this post a blessed and Christ-filled 2008.

Another year is dawning:
Dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with Thee;
Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness
In the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning
Upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting,
Of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service,
Of witness for Thy love;
Another year of training
For holier work above.
Another year is dawning;
Dear Father, let it be,
On earth or else in heaven,
Another year for Thee.

~Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

12 comments:

Vicki said...

Ah, yes, I like this...thank you, Maxine. Wonderful hymn. May the joy of the Lord be our strength now and always.

Happy, blessed New Year!

hugs,
Vicki

~~Deby said...

What a great hymn....the words are excellant...thanks for sharing, Maxine...
Happy New Years to you and yours.
Deby

Anonymous said...

I missed you last night!! Today is the 30th anniversary of God's saving me - praise His Marvelous grace! I've been singing another great hymn - by J. Boice - "I once was rebellious, corrupted by sin..." ending with: "Created with Christ with a race to be run.." May God enable us to press on in 2008! I wish you and yours a blessed new year!

Maxine said...

Vicki, Blessings to you too, my dear. Coming to see you later.

Hi Deby, Glad you liked it.I'll be over.

Barbara! Thanks for telling us that! How great!! Saved on the first day of the year? What a wonderful New Year's memory! We stayed home last night and had family stop by. See you Sunday and Happy New Year!

Cathy said...

We do love the same hymns. I posted it on my blog too. :) Have a blessed and Happy New Year, Maxine.

Susan said...

Wonderful hymn, Maxine. I don't think I'd ever heard this one before. Praise God he is giving us another New Year.
Susan

Elise @A Path Made Straight said...

Beautiful, friend! Another year, Lord willing. May you be blessed!

Beka said...

I love that hymn. It is so full of trusting anticipation.
Happy new year!

sparrow's song said...

May your New Year be one that brings you an even closer walk with Him.

Ephesians 3:17-19 (KJV)
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Theresa's Notes said...

Happy New Year Maxine!

Sara said...

Happy New Year Nanna! It was so nice seeing you on Tuesday. :)

Phoebe said...

Thank you for your comments on my blog & for your prayers. I know Debbie, Mason, & all really appreciate your prayers, too! They were just in Alaska for a memorial service in Jason's church & to clean out Jason's apartment.


{{{{hugs}}}}